One area boasted a table full of the colorful harvest from California’s counties. Photo by Elise Spleiss

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – “Wish You Were Here” was the theme of the 2026 California State Fair. Despite the heat, many attendees came out to enjoy the traditional “must do” activities at the fair like heading for the hot cinnamon rolls or checking out all the animals and the stage acts.

One popular animal attraction was Wild Things/Conservation Ambassadors which brought an assortment of rescued wild animals to the fair. Visitors got up close with reindeer, kangaroos, lemurs, exotic birds, insects and a couple of snakes.

The non-profit has operated for almost 40 years rescuing confiscated, injured and abandoned wildlife, giving them a home. Some of these animal ambassadors are taken to inner city and other schools educating thousands of kids for a lesson on conservation they wouldn’t get anywhere else.

Rancho Cordova nonprofit, 4 Paws 2 Freedom, therapy dog Birdie sat proudly with handler and therapy dog coordinator Rebecca Sloan, and Amy Wolfe, director of training, enjoying the attention at their tent. Photo by Elise Spleiss

Conservation Ambassadors is not open to the public. Their one-time public appearance at the fair gave them much-needed exposure as both the visitors and animals come from all over. It also helped with the non-profit expenses. Conservation Ambassadors also has a second facility in Paso Robles.

For more information on Conservations Ambassadors visit wildthingsoutreach.org.

There were many vendors, service organizations and interactive booths. One has been working hard to inform the public of what is coming to our area as funds are raised. A permanent 95% to scale replica of the Vietnam War Wall is coming to Citrus Heights. It was explained by Project Chairman Scott Miller that the fundraising goal is now $50 for each of the 58,281 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Bringing a total of $2.5 million left to raise before being able to break ground in Citrus Heights. They currently have all the building permits and contractors lined up.

The wall can only be 95% to scale as there is a mausoleum on one side and I-80 on the other side. There will be a road surrounding the wall for visitors. Schayltz remembers those being honored, “For those of us who served, the labor of freedom is different than from those we defended,” Schayltz said.

A highlight of the fair was the huge King Tut exhibit which featured 124 exquisitely crafted reproductions of the pharaoh’s treasures, including huge golden shrines, jewelry and the famous mask. The original tomb is located in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.

Throughout the fair there were many opportunities to have fun while learning. For example, there was higher education information available for veterans and fellow attendees. For instance, “Returning Veterans Enlisting their Skills for CAL FIRE Service” (RVETS) offers many careers from aviation to fire fighter to information technology, and “I Can Go to College” offers a myriad of community college pathways with a full range of resources and student support. For more information visit ICanGoToCollege.com/colleges.

Additionally, Camp Smokey, sponsored by the Firefighters Burn Institute, is a major educational attraction for visitors of all ages. According to their website, visitors can experience a fun, educational and interactive fire safety and prevention exhibit. This exhibit provides information on home fire safety, wildfire safety and more. As well as fun historic knowledge on the traditional Native American uses of fire and fire’s role in nature.

CaLOWfornia Love Cruisin cars: Lowrider culture at its best. These heavily customized vehicles are true works of art, including the mainstay of lowriders: Chevy Impalas, the holy grail of lowriding, Lincoln Continentals known as “luxury cruisers” and Buicks. Photo by Elise Spleiss

The 2027 California State Fair in Sacramento is scheduled for Sept. 17 through Oct. 3, moving from July to early autumn to avoid Sacramento’s extreme summer heat and create safer, more manageable working conditions for carnival operators, vendors and agriculture handlers. As a result of the fair taking place during school hours in 2027, teachers will be organizing field trips to the fair for their students to take advantage of all the interactive educational programs and other experiences for students.